London cable car signs up new sponsor

Date: 12/10/2011

The cable car that will offer people in London an additional way to cross the River Thames has received a new sponsor.

Transport for London reports that Emirates Airline has signed a multimillion pound deal to back the scheme, which will be known as the Emirates Air Line.

Connecting the north of the city to the south, the cars will be boarded from two hubs - to be known as Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks.

Work is scheduled to be completed by next summer in time for the 2012 Olympic Games and, in addition to getting across the river, passengers will be able to enjoy views across the capital when they travel in this way.

It is hoped that the cable car will carry 2,500 people per hour in both directions during peak times, which could create additional capacity elsewhere on the city's transport network.

Emirates will invest £36 million in the project.

Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: "The UK's first urban cable car will [...] act as a vibrant catalyst for the further regeneration of east London, helping to attract jobs and investment for the benefit of Londoners."

Construction began on the crossing in July as work commenced building the two passenger hubs.

Posted by Mary Treen